It’s never too early to get your child thinking about heaven. Share the salvation story with your family today!
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to December!
I cannot believe it! I mean, how did the Christmas season get here so fast? But I read something yesterday that put on the brakes. An email came across my desk and well, let me share it with you. This woman wrote, “My best friend’s four-year old… son [who had a heart condition], Grayson, [he] just died last Saturday. Earlier, I [had] sent them [your children’s book on heaven, “The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party”] and it literally changed their lives. Right before Grayson went back for his final surgery, his mother read him the “Fantastic Forever Party” book. Due to Grayson’s fragile condition he was not able to go to church [often]. [And this was the first book that made heaven relatable, desirable, and not scary. After Grayson read this book, he was so excited about heaven that he even told his little brother about it.] [Grayson is] with the Lord Jesus now. [His] parents, [though], will be reading this special book on heaven at the graveside service. [Because] It is their hearts’ desire to show other parents the imperative of investing in their children’s spiritual lives [without delay]. [You never know.] Joni, I hope this deeply encourages you because of the work you are doing.”
Okay, like, this story left me a little breathless. I mean, I think I’ve talked to you before about this little book I wrote for children explaining how to get to heaven, what it’s like, how boys and girls can get ready for it, and how kids can invite their friends to know Jesus. Now, when I wrote it, I imagined it being read in Sunday school, or at a playground, or a child flipping through the pages in the backseat of a car or listening to their parent read it to them before they go to bed, kind of a bedtime story. But never did I imagine having it read aloud by a parent standing over the fresh grave of their child. But God bless that mother and father who have the courage – and I can’t think of a better word for it – they have enough courage to share the message of that little book, the “Forever Party” book, at the graveside service for their four-year-old son. They’ve also got a lot of compassion, because they want to present the salvation story to their family members and neighbors and friends who might not know Christ. I’m deeply moved that Grayson gained a bright, hope-filled vision of heaven. So, let me close with this vision of heaven.
First Thessalonians 4 says, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” And, you know, that’s my point of sharing Grayson’s story today – that you might be encouraged, knowing that your name is written in the book of life and that you have a home in heaven. And if you want a child in your life to have that same assurance, then consider giving that little one a timely Christmas gift. It’s my book on heaven called “The Awesome Super Fantastic Forever Party.” All the details are at joniradio.org, where I’ve posted a link to our store. Again, that’s joniradio.org. And please pray for Grayson’s parents as they read this little book to their friends. May lots of people come to know Jesus today because of it.
© Joni and Friends